Bay Springs High School has canceled its last two boys basketball games of the regular season after the death of coach Corey Mackey.
The team will not play Clarkdale and Scott Central, but will participate in the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs.
Lamar County Coroner Blake Matherne said Mackey died Tuesday at an area hospital of what seemed to be from natural causes. However, an autopsy is still pending, according to WDAM.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Coach CoreyMackey, a dedicated teacher and basketball coach at Bay Springs High School,” according to a news release from the West Jasper School District. “He served our school community with passion and commitment for the past 17 years, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of his students, colleagues, and the entire school family.”
Mackey spent 17 seasons at Bay Springs and won two MHSAA Class 2A state championships in 2015 and 2019. Bay Springs is currently 15-6 this season. Mackey was also a teacher at Bay Springs, teaching a class in personal finance and physical education at the school.
Mackey had a 345-121 record in his 17-year coaching career at Bay Springs. The 2008-09 season was his lone with a losing record.
“Coach Mackey was not only an exceptional educator but also an inspirational leader on and offthe basketball court,” the West Jasper School District release stated. “His unwavering dedication to his students and his athletes made him a beloved figure at Bay Springs High School, and his impact extended far beyond the classroom and gymnasium.
“The news of Coach Mackey’s passing has sent shockwaves through our close-knit school community, and we mourn the tremendous loss of a beloved member of our school family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to coach Mackey’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We recognize the profound impact he had on the lives of those around him, and we share in the grief.”
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Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion-Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.